TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
Complete Jewish Bible
"Y'hudah's sin is written with an iron pen; with a diamond point it is engraved on the tablet of their hearts and on the horns of your altars.
Berean Standard Bible
“The sin of Judah is written with an iron stylus, engraved with a diamond point on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars.
American Standard Version
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, andwith the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the tablet of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
World English Bible Messianic
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of your altars;
Geneva Bible (1599)
The sinne of Iudah is written with a pen of yron, and with the poynt of a diamonde, and grauen vpon the table of their heart, and vpon the hornes of your altars.
Young's Literal Translation
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, With the point of a diamond, Graven on the tablet of their heart, And on the horns of your altars,
In the KJVVerse 19,359 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jeremiah 17 verses 1–4
1 ¶ The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
2 Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
3 O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.
4 And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.
The people had asked (Jer 16:10), What is our iniquity, and what is our sin? as if they could not be charged with any thing worth speaking of, for which God should enter into judgment with them; their challenge was answered there, but here we have a further reply to it, in which,
I. The indictment is fully proved upon the prisoners, both the fact and the fault; their sin is too plain to be denied and too bad to be excused, and they have nothing to plead either in extenuation of the crime or in arrest and mitigation of the judgment. 1. They cannot plead, Not guilty, for their sins are upon record in the book of God's omniscience and their own conscience; nay, and they are obvious to the eye and observation of the world, Jer 17:1, Jer 17:2. They are written before God in the most legible and indelible characters, and sealed among his treasures, never to be forgotten, Deu 32:34. They are written there with a pen of iron and with the point of a diamond; what is so written will not be worn out by time, but is, as Job speaks, graven in the rock for ever. Note, The sin of sinners is never forgotten till it is forgiven. It is ever before God, till by repentance it comes to be ever before us. It is graven upon the table of their heart; their own consciences witness against them, and are instead of a thousand witnesses. What is graven on the heart, though it may be covered and closed up for a time, yet, being graven, it cannot be erased, but will be produced in evidence when the books shall be opened. Nay, we need not appeal to the tables of the heart, perhaps they will not own the convictions of their consciences. We need go no further, for proof of the charge, than the horns of their altars, on which the blood of their idolatrous sacrifices was sprinkled, and perhaps the names of the idols to whose honour they were erected were inscribed. Their neighbours will witness against them, and all the creatures they have abused by using them in the service of their lusts. To complete the evidence, their own children shall be witnesses against them; they will tell truth when their fathers dissemble and prevaricate; they remember the altars and the groves to which their parents took them when they were little, v. 2. It appears that they were full of them, and acquainted with them betimes, they talked of them so frequently, so familiarly, and with so much delight. 2. They cannot plead that they repent, or are brought to a better mind. No, as the guilt of their sin is undeniable, so their inclination to sin is invincible and incurable. In this sense many understand Jer 17:1, Jer 17:2. Their sin is deeply engraven as with a pen of iron in the tables of their hearts. They have a rooted affection to it; it is woven into their very nature; their sin is dear to them, as that is dear to us of which we say, It is engraven on our hearts. The bias of their minds is still as strong as ever towards their idols, and they are not wrought upon either by the word or rod of God to forget them and abate their affection to them. It is written upon the horns of their altars, for they have given up their names to their idols and resolve to abide by what they have done; they have bound themselves, as with cords, to the horns of their altars. And Jer 17:2 may be read fully to this sense: As they remember their children, so remember they their altars and their groves; they are as fond of them and take as much pleasure in them as men do in their own children, and are as loth to part with them; they will live and die with their idols, and can no more forget them than a woman can forget her sucking child.
II. The indictment being thus fully proved, the judgment is affirmed and the sentence ratified, Jer 17:3, Jer 17:4. Forasmuch as they are thus wedded to their sins, and will not part with them, 1. They shall be made to part with their treasures, and those shall be given into the hands of strangers. Jerusalem is God's mountain in the field; it was built on a hill in the midst of a plain. All the treasures of that wealthy city will God give to the spoil. Or, My mountains with the fields, thy wealth and all thy treasures will I expose to spoil; both the products of the country and the stores of the city shall be seized by the Chaldeans. Justly are men stripped of that which they have served their idols with and have made the food and the fuel of their lusts. My mountain (so the whole land was, Psa 78:54, Deu 11:11) you have turned into your high places for sin, have worshipped your idols upon the high hills (Jer 17:2), and now they shall be give for a spoil in all your borders. What we make for a sin God will make for a spoil; for what comfort can we expect in that wherewith God is dishonoured? 2. They shall be made to part with their inheritance, and shall be carried captives into a strange land (Jer 17:4): Thou, even thyself (or thou thyself and those that are in thee, all the inhabitants), shall discontinue from thy heritage that I gave thee. God owns that it was their heritage, and that he gave it to them; they had an unquestionable title to it, which was an aggravation of their folly in throwing themselves out of the possession of it. It is through thyself (so some read it), through thy own default, that thou art disseised. Thou shalt discontinue, or intermit, the occupation of thy land. The law appointed them to let their land rest (it is the word here used) one year in seven, Exo 23:11. They did not observe that law, and now God would compel them to let it rest (the land shall enjoy her sabbaths, Lev 26:34); and yet it shall be not rest to them; they shall serve their enemies in a land they know not. Observe, (1.) Sin works a discontinuance of our comforts and deprives us of the enjoyment of that which God has given us. Yet, (2.) A discontinuance of the possession is not a defeasance of the right, but it is intimated that upon their repentance they shall recover possession again. For the present, you have kindled a fire in my anger, which burns so fiercely that it seems as if it would burn for ever; and so it will unless you repent, for it is the anger of an everlasting God fastening upon the immortal souls, and who knows the power of that anger?
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–4. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Jeremiah
(Chapter 17, Verse 1) The sin of Judah is written with an iron pen, engraved with an adamantium nail, upon the width (or height) of their hearts (or in the depth of their hearts), and upon the horns of their altars (or thrones). Concerning the nations that have turned to the Lord, it has been said: Behold, I will show them in turn, I will show them my hand and my power. Now, speaking of Israel who is rejected: The sin of Judah is written with an iron pen, engraved with an adamantium nail, and so on. Why the Septuagint has been omitted, I do not know; unless perhaps they spared their own people: just as it is clear in Isaiah that they did so: Cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for why should he be esteemed? (Isaiah 2:22); and many similar things, which if I wanted to arrange them all, it would not be a book, but books. Because his mercy is confirmed upon us, and the truth of the Lord remains forever (Psalm 116, 1, 2). And concerning those whom he said to Moses: Let me alone, that I may destroy this people, and make you into a great nation (Exodus 32, 10). But the sin of the Jews is indelible, and, so to speak, cannot be abolished by any means; it is written with an iron stylus on an adamant nail, which in Hebrew is called Samir (); not that there is any nail that is called Samir; but that the adamant stone (which has received this name because it is untamable and unbreakable) has such brilliance and lightness that it can be written on without any impediment with an iron stylus: so that the hard material of iron may write on the harder adamant tablet, and what is written may endure forever. For they themselves said: 'His blood be upon us and upon our children' (Matthew 27). Therefore, it has been written or engraved on the horns of their altars or shrines, so that sacrilegious works may be remembered forever. But if this is the case, where is that which an old woman madly fabricates, that a person can be without sin if they wish, and that God's commandments are easy?
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
ON JEREMIAH 4:17.1-3
Nothing is more potent than the conscience: letters inscribed on it are indelible. I mean, even if everyone mounted a case to his or her conscience supported by favorable evidence, the conscience itself cannot tolerate the wickedness of falsehood. It is pricked and goaded and delivers its verdict incorruptibly. He says this here, too: The facts accuse you, and the conscience joins in testimony against you. He reminds them also of the groves, the altars and what was done on them, and he threatens to give to the enemy all their wealth along with the idols.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 17:1 profoundly illustrates the deep-seated and indelible nature of Judah's sin, particularly their pervasive idolatry and persistent rebellion against Yahweh. Through powerful imagery of engraving tools and sacred spaces, the prophet reveals that their disobedience was not merely a superficial transgression but was fundamentally etched into the very core of their being—their hearts—and manifested in their corrupted religious practices, signifying a profound and seemingly permanent alienation from God.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 17:1 is rich in Imagery, painting vivid pictures of Judah's spiritual state. The "pen of iron" and "point of a diamond" evoke the physical act of engraving, suggesting an unalterable inscription. The "table of their heart" and "horns of your altars" ground the abstract concept of sin in concrete, relatable spaces. The verse employs Metaphor extensively, comparing Judah's sin to something "written" and "graven" with tools designed for permanence, thereby conveying its deep-seated and indelible nature. This is not literal writing, but a symbolic representation of the sin's enduring presence. The use of such strong, unyielding materials like "iron" and "diamond" also functions as Hyperbole, emphasizing the extreme and unyielding nature of their rebellion. Furthermore, the "horns of your altars" serve as powerful Symbolism, representing not just places of worship but the very religious life and identity of Judah, now defiled and marked by their pervasive idolatry. The verse's structure and choice of words contribute to a sense of irreversible judgment and profound spiritual decay.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 17:1 profoundly articulates the depth and permanence of human sin, revealing it as an ingrained condition of the heart rather than merely a series of external acts. It underscores humanity's inherent inability to self-correct or erase this deep-seated rebellion through ritual or willpower alone. Theologically, this verse highlights the radical nature of humanity's fallen state, demonstrating how sin permeates the core of our being and even corrupts our attempts at worship. It sets the stage for the necessity of divine intervention, foreshadowing God's promise of a new covenant where He would write His law not with a pen of iron, but by His Spirit, on transformed hearts, enabling true obedience and genuine relationship. This stark portrayal of sin's indelible mark on the heart and altars emphasizes the absolute need for a radical, supernatural cleansing and renewal that only God can provide.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 17:1 serves as a profound mirror, reflecting the enduring truth that sin, especially when habitual and unrepentant, becomes deeply ingrained in the human heart and can even corrupt our expressions of faith. It challenges us to examine the true condition of our inner being: Is our heart a "table" inscribed with rebellion and self-will, or is it yielding to the Spirit's work, becoming a tablet on which God's word is written? This verse powerfully reminds us that superficial repentance or outward religious acts are insufficient to address deep-seated spiritual issues. It compels us to acknowledge our inherent inability to eradicate sin from our own hearts and to recognize our desperate need for God's radical, transformative grace. For believers, it's a call to continuous self-examination, confession, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to cleanse and renew our hearts, ensuring that our worship and lives are truly dedicated to God, free from the defilement of hidden or cherished sin.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond" signify?
Answer: This powerful imagery signifies the extreme permanence and indelible nature of Judah's sin. A "pen of iron" and a "point of a diamond" were tools used in ancient times to engrave inscriptions into very hard surfaces like stone or metal. This suggests that Judah's sin was not a fleeting mistake or a temporary lapse, but something deeply etched, unchangeable, and impossible to erase by human effort. It underscores the severity and ingrained character of their rebellion against God.
What is the significance of sin being "graven upon the table of their heart"?
Answer: In biblical thought, the "heart" is the core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, will, and emotion. For sin to be "graven upon the table of their heart" means that Judah's rebellion was not merely an external act but was deeply embedded in their innermost being. It indicates a profound spiritual hardening where sin had become an intrinsic part of their identity, influencing their thoughts, desires, and decisions. This contrasts sharply with the ideal of God's law being written on the heart, as promised in the new covenant (e.g., Jeremiah 31:33).
Why are the "horns of your altars" mentioned in connection with sin?
Answer: The "horns of altars" were sacred and prominent features of both Israelite and pagan altars, often associated with sacrifice and atonement. In Israelite worship, blood was applied to the horns during sin offerings (Leviticus 4:7). For Judah's sin to be "graven upon the horns of your altars" indicates that their places of worship, intended for communion with God, were defiled by their widespread idolatry and false religious practices. It signifies that their very attempts at worship were corrupted by their unfaithfulness, demonstrating a complete spiritual apostasy that permeated even their sacred spaces and rituals.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 17:1 powerfully underscores the human predicament: sin is not merely an external action but an indelible inscription on the human heart, deeply ingrained and impossible to erase by human effort or religious ritual. This profound truth finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. While Judah's sin was "graven" with a pen of iron and a diamond, signifying permanence, Christ's sacrifice offers the only true and complete erasure of sin. The New Covenant, prophesied by Jeremiah himself (Jeremiah 31:33), is established through Jesus' blood, where God promises to write His law not on tables of stone or hardened hearts, but on renewed hearts of flesh. The Lamb of God, by bearing the full weight of humanity's sin on the cross, effectively "blots out" the record of our transgressions, which stood against us (Colossians 2:14). Through faith in Him, believers receive a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26), transforming the very core of their being. Thus, what was permanently etched by sin is permanently cleansed and replaced by the Spirit of Christ, making us "letters of Christ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (2 Corinthians 3:3). Jesus is the divine solution to humanity's indelible sin, offering true forgiveness, radical heart transformation, and the promise of eternal life.